Holy smoken Tow bars - are these things Gold Plated?

[BarneyBoy]

I take it (from your name) that you have some experience in this stuff!
Makes it even funnier!

[MultiplexMan]

As mentioned above, the factory bar kit works properly with the ABS, ASC &c, tells you of bulb-outs and so on, plus it apparently works in with your parking sensors (if fitted) by switching off the reverse sensors when a trailer is hooked up.

I was told a similar tale by four different dealerships (service departments) and VW Tech Support. No answer when asked to "please explain".

Interesting details to note (if someone could explain it would be appreciated):

- How does ABS/ESC function change if a trailer is attached?
ABS inputs are primarily individual wheel rotation speeds, throttle and brake %, vehicle speed, steering angle, and pitch/yaw.

- How does the "vehicle" identify the configuration of the item attached to the towbar? For instance a bike rack versus a caravan? The system has no way of inferring length behind rear axle, mass, ...etc. The "trailer socket" only reports an item plugged into the connector.

- Same questions with regard to ASC...etc.

Bulb outs - yes that is valid as the total resistance of the light circuit changes when you add another set of tail/number plate lights.

Rear park sensors - yes, when the rear socket is used the park sensors are switched OFF.

So it appears we are being charged a premium for a logic switch...

I'd understand the premium if the rear bar was being replaced with the painted OEM spare as per ETKA...


Bosch Handbook and Technical Papers make great reading for those that want to know how these systems are meant to work - written by the designers themselves.

Bosch ABS/ESC

http://www.bosch-escential.com/us/language1/espabsasr.html

Cheers, MM

PS If some one could point out which blocks change when the "trailer" socket is used, I'll happily record them with a VAG-COM unit...

[BarneyBoy]

I've found a shot of the OEM valence with cut out and an ETKA page with the part shown.

There's a pretty comprehensive towbar forum here:

http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/index.php

It has its own Major Thread heading.

[Greg Roles]

Towbar complete as it came. Chrome ball cap, rubber shin guard.

Egg-sacktly the same as mine. I don't even notice the mount with the removable tongue out!

[BarneyBoy]

Is the dealer using the lower rear valence that has the tow bar cut out and replaceable cover where the tongue comes out? It's definitely a VW spare, cos I've seen the spare parts pages for them (there's one for the regular Golf, one for the GT, & one for the GTI. Maybe that's another reason the bar costs so much - there's a new valence involved?

[Autosport]

I have no problem paying good money for Quality product, my problem is paying ridiculous money for quality product. While I can accept that you will always pay a premium for factory item, no tow bar is worth that sort of Money, not when Haymen Reece can fit a quality bar to my old Mazda for $300, No bar is worth 5 times that price.

In saying that, complexity of the wiring system, I'm not stupid to risk not using the factory wiring, and will pay that so I can tow my Jetski, but that is one Ugly tow bar hanging off the back of My Golf, and think I'll fit it my self as I want as little bar cut out as possible.

[BarneyBoy]

As mentioned above, the factory bar kit works properly with the ABS, ASC &c, tells you of bulb-outs and so on, plus it apparently works in with your parking sensors (if fitted) by switching off the reverse sensors when a trailer is hooked up.

But the main reason is the multiplex style wiring that the Mk5 has. If you price a tow bar for a Polo (conventional wiring), you'll see it's about 1/3 of the price of the Golf bar.

[Oneofthegreats]

I can not understand why people but a quality product, then do everything as cheap as possible after the purchase.

How true. I still can't understand it myself.

I've seen first hand what a dodgy install is like & I absolutely hate having to patch up someone else's major f$#k up.

This one ended up cutting through the taillight socket & filling up the boot with water & then onto rusting. Bloody lovely!

The choice is your's I say, but if it stuff's up, don't you dare go into a dealer & say my car's stuffed, can you fix it under warranty!

[WEDEL.1]

Towbar complete as it came. Chrome ball cap, rubber shin guard.

[The_Hawk]

No clue for the VW, but the Subaru tow bar is the same sort of money as it adds (at least to the auto dad bought) a tranny cooler and who knows what else so you don't over heat your engine.

I suppose it's for worst case, really if you only ever plan on attaching a bike rack or something an aftermarket unit may be a better option (at least on the subie).

[Greg Roles]

It's a monopoly for sure. Nothing like a captive market to pump up the price!

Still, it is true the ESP traction control factors in the trailer when attached, and it does tell you what bulbs are out, but that's small consolation for the insane cost. At least it's a nicely built, removable tongue unit, but strangely from best bars in NZ. Until I read a few posts from fellow tow bar owners, I thought I'd been ripped off!

I can't see a problem towing normal things, especially in a manual.

[WEDEL.1]

Also it is worth checking out the maximum allowable towball weight before you commit your $$$.

A lot of VAG vehicles have a very small rating, which means you can only tow very light things. It is no good having a 1200Kg towing rating if you can only have a towball weight of 50Kg. Most Oz trailers and vans run on a towball weight of 10%, which means 50Kg only allows for a trailer weighing a total of 500Kg. (I don't know what are the actual figures for a Golf, so these are only an example to give you the general idea).

Hans Tholstrop drove a Hyundai i30, 1.6L turbo diesel from Sydney to Melbourne towing a 600 KG (loaded) camper trailer. Fuel consuption was 5.66l/km @ an average speed of 86km/h. Refer "Caravan + RV" Spring 2008.

No mention of BALL WEIGHTS, which seem to be completely over-rated (or in VWs, under-rated).

I towed 500kg of sand & gravel in our Golf III GL 10 years ago (succesfully), no body talked about ball weight then.

I have never received anything OFFICAL from the Govt. Registration people explaining this new phenomena, and its repercustions.

Our Golf V will eventually tow a camper trailer (weight no more than 600kg. I don't expect to have any problems.

Maris

[Pablo64]

wedel.1 could you post a pic of yours? thanks

[WEDEL.1]

Read this thread, then make up your own mind.....you pay your money, and you take your chances.....so how lucky do you feel???

I can not understand why people but a quality product, then do everything as cheap as possible after the purchase.

I paid $1400, got 3 year warranty , and the comfort of knowledge everything was done properly.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newforum/upload/showthread.php?t=21446

Maris

[gregozedobe]

Also it is worth checking out the maximum allowable towball weight before you commit your $$$.

A lot of VAG vehicles have a very small rating, which means you can only tow very light things. It is no good having a 1200Kg towing rating if you can only have a towball weight of 50Kg. Most Oz trailers and vans run on a towball weight of 10%, which means 50Kg only allows for a trailer weighing a total of 500Kg. (I don't know what are the actual figures for a Golf, so these are only an example to give you the general idea).